MADISON — The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is pleased to announce that UW-Madison freshman Addison Eckerty and sophomore Chesney Slotten have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the John and Katie Baumann Inspiration Project Scholarship.
Established by John Baumann ’82 and Catherine Doyle-Baumann ’85, the scholarship supports undergraduate students from Monroe or Green County attending UW-Madison. Recipients are chosen based on their embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea, which emphasizes the university’s impact beyond the classroom and throughout the state. “Katie and I are honored to support these two outstanding students as they pursue their education at one of the nation’s finest institutions — our alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison,” said John Baumann, former president and CEO of Colony Brands, Inc.
Addison Eckerty is a freshman from Monroe. “I chose to attend UW-Madison for a combination of factors: the Wisconsin Idea, contributing to the community, and its level of academic rigor,” says Eckerty. At Monroe High School, Eckerty was involved with Math Team and various volunteer clubs and is looking forward to finding new ways to get involved at UW-Madison. “This scholarship has enabled me to pay for tuition and housing, so that I can attend UW-Madison,” Eckerty added.
Chesney Slotten returns to UW-Madison as a sophomore, pursuing a degree in agricultural business management, after receiving the scholarship as a freshman last year. “My favorite part of being a Badger is experiencing the rich legacy and tradition carried across campus every day,” says Slotten. “I chose to become a Badger because Wisconsin has always been home, but UW-Madison quickly became a home of its own.” On campus, Slotten works as a Member Services Assistant at the Nicholas Recreation Center and is a member of the Marketing Club, Sports Business Club, and Cheese Club. “This scholarship has made my dream to attend a four-year college possible without having a financial burden,” Slotten added.
Both recipients expressed deep gratitude for the scholarship, which allows them to focus on their studies and pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress.
About the Donors
John Baumann and Catherine Doyle-Baumann are dedicated members of the Badger community. John served on the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board of Directors for 11 years. He currently serves on the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board and as president of the Colony Brands Foundation. The couple established this scholarship to give back to their home community and support students who embody the values that made their own UW-Madison experience transformative.
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It brings together alumni and friends of the university to raise, invest, and distribute funds, and it connects a growing number of Badgers to help facilitate their support for each other and the university. For more information, visit supportuw.org or uwalumni.com.
